validity

Question 1

validity

Answer 1

The extent to which an observed effect is genuine, does it measure what it was supposed to measure, and can it be generalised beyond the research setting within which it was found.

Question 2

types of validity

Answer 2

Face validity - basic form of validity - does it measure what it is supposed to measure?
Concurrent validity - does the measure fit with other existing measures?
Ecological validity - type of external validity, can the findings be generalised to other settings and situations.
Temporal validity - type of external validity, can the findings be generalised to other historical times or eras?
Predictive validity - can we use the findings to accurately predict from?
Population validity - can the results from the research sample be applied to the population as a whole?

Question 3

assessment of validity

Answer 3

Validity needs to be assessed to ensure that the investigation is as robust as possible.
Face - one or more judges assess whether the test seems appropriate and suggest if changes are necessary.
Concurrent - correlate, take the data from 1 test and the data from another then correlate the findings. If there is a strong positive correlation then there is concurrent validity.
Ecological - test out in different environments.
Temporal - test out to find to what extent findings remain the same over time.

Question 4

improving validity

Answer 4

Experimental research - use a control group so the researcher is better able to assess if changes in DV are due to the IV, use standardised procedures to minimise investigator effects.
Questionnaires - incorporate lie scale to control social desirability bias, submit responses anonymously so participant are more comfortable to tell the truth.
Observations - covert so behaviour is more authentic and increases validity, behaviour categories clear and precise to increase validity.
Qualitative methods - check interpretations from researcher match participants, use direct quotes from participants in report.